Shift Dress vs. Sheath Dress – Do You Know the Difference?

Do You Know the Difference Between a Shift Dress vs. a Sheath Dress - Click for more info! - Roxanne Carne | Personal Stylist

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Shift Dress vs. Sheath Dress – Do You Know the Difference?

Here’s a question that my clients often ask me: what’s the difference between a shift dress and a sheath dress?  Fortunately, the answer is quite simple and easy to remember!

What’s a Shift Dress?

A shift dress is generally roomy and basically, well, shifts with you!  It’s very comfortable and is very easy to move around in.  The great thing about shift dresses is that they work well on most body types (they’re great at disguising any problem areas), they can be worn casually, or they can be dressed up easily with the right accessories like a statement necklace or bracelet.  You can also pair these dresses with heels, flats, or sandals!

Shift Dress Shift Dress

Before we get on to the sheath dresses below, here are my shift dress recommendations from excellent brands and retailers.  Click the images for detailed product info!

Want to feel more confident in your clothes? Join The RC Style Guide to transform your wardrobe and transform your life. Learn more at www.rc-stye.com - Roxanne Carne | Personal Stylist

What’s a Sheath Dress?

A sheath dress, on the other hand, is more fitted to the body – since it’s more fitted, it’s a bit more formal so it’s a great choice to wear at work and then afterward for an evening out.  This can also be styled with nice accessories, a smart clutch, and killer heels.  Very chic!

Sheath Dress

Here are some stylish sheath dress options for you to peruse.  Click the images for detailed product info!

So there you go!  Do you like one dress type more than the other?  Please comment below!  Either way, you can’t go wrong with these choices!

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Stylishly Yours,

Roxanne

Roxanne Carne is a recognized Personal Stylist & Personal Shopper styling women in Dallas, TX and virtually!  Visit www.roxannecarne.com to discover how she can help you define your style!

Some of the affiliates links may generate commissions for Roxanne Carne | Personal Stylist, LLC which helps support the time spent creating these very specific recommendations.

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Roxanne CarneClassic, Dresses, Style Glossary, Wardrobe Essential, Wardrobe Essentials20 Comments

20 Comments on “Shift Dress vs. Sheath Dress – Do You Know the Difference?”

  1. Real helpful, thanks! I read the term “shift dress” in a book and had no idea what it was referring to.

  2. Added knowledge! Thanks Roxanne.
    P. S. : You’ve got a killer smile right there, beautiful ?

  3. I know what a ahift dress and sheath dress is thanks to my mom and grandma and auntie. Shift dress shift whent you walk. Thata how my mom descibe it. I descibe shift dress as dress not to tight it moves eith you when you walk. Think jackie kenndy shift dress during whitehouse years or should i say camelot years. Michelle Obama. Also wore shift dresses. Michelle also wears aline dresses. Sheath dress is dress wear work and date. Night. Think victoria beckham or marylnn monroe. Sheath dress are more fitted style. I like both sheath and shift dress. You can find on line at departnent stores. I recommend go shopping end august beginning september for sheath and shift dress for next summer. Get dress when on sale put in your closet when time go somewhrere you already have outfit.

  4. Thanks, Roxanne! I’m a Brazilian teacher and I was confused. It was very helpful. Depending on the occasion both are nice.

    1. Edna, thanks for visiting my blog all the way from Brazil! 🙂 Yes, they both are nice choices and based on the style, they’d be great for either casual, business, or formal occasions!

  5. Thanks Roxanne,
    I woke up this morning and got a message from a customer that she wanted pictures of shift dresses with jacket, at first I thought it was a mistake until when I saw the meaning here. Thanks once again

    1. Hi, Bolanle, thanks for your note! I’m glad my blog post helped clarify the meaning of what a shift dress is for you – yes, they totally exist! Please feel free to forward this blog post to her. 🙂

  6. Finally! I have wondered about the difference between shift and sheath dresses for years and now I get it. I prefer sheath dresses. Thanks, Roxanne!

  7. Definitely Sheath shows a woman’s figure, more stylish, elegant and appropriate to a woman’s role. Best dress-outfit a woman could wear, always appropriate.

  8. I’ve never liked how shift dresses look on me. Having a curvy bottom, I hate the line going from shoulder to bum. I always feel huge. Wish I could wear them CNET feel good in them though.

    I’ll stick with sheath dresses that are meant to show my curves. 🙂

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